Just this month a man in Michigan was arraigned in federal court. He has been charged with selling counterfeit copies of both Windows XP Professional and Office 2003 Professional via eBay.
Here is a Microsoft post about making sure your software is not a pirate copy:
Pirated software is counterfeit software that cybercriminals illegally copy and sell. They sell it to unsuspecting individuals via the Internet, at some low-price retail outlets, and sometimes from people selling wares on the street.
Pirated software can put your computer and your personal data at risk
Only computers with genuine Microsoft software can get important software updates needed to operate reliably and protect from malware often found in counterfeit software. Also, pirated software often contains viruses, spyware, and scams that can cause a loss of data, a corrupted system, and even identity theft.
Genuine software provides access to security updates and products
You will be asked to validate your copy of Windows if you want to get updates from Microsoft Update or Windows Update.
You also will be asked to validate your copy of Windows if you request a genuine Windows download from the Microsoft Download Center.
Software you can get with genuine copies of Microsoft Windows includes:
Microsoft Security Essentials: Free software that helps protect your computer from viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.
Internet Explorer 9: The newest version of the Microsoft web browser helps protect against phishing scams and other fraud that can lead to identity theft.
How to validate your copy of Windows or Microsoft Office
Validate your copy of Windows or Microsoft Office on the Windows Genuine website.
The validation only takes a few minutes, and once you’ve completed it, you can download Microsoft software more quickly in the future. You will also have access to updates that can help protect your computer.
How to identify genuine Microsoft software
One way you can usually identify genuine Microsoft software is by making sure it has the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) label. A COA is not a software license—it is a visual identifier that helps you determine whether or not the Microsoft software you are purchasing is genuine. Without it you will not have a legal license to run Microsoft software.
A typical COA looks like this:
See What is a Certificate Of Authenticity (COA)? for more information.
What does pirated software look like?
Pirated software often looks authentic and is sometimes distributed in packaging that imitates the original manufacturer’s packaging. Head over to this Microsoft page for more details on what to look for.
About Advanced Network Consulting:
Does your business need ongoing network support without having the expense of a fulltime employee? Advanced Network Consulting is the solution. We are a premier IT Consulting Company based in Southern California; our technicians are Microsoft and Cisco Certified, professional and personable. Our real-time hands on experience in different work settings and businesses allow us the ability to provide practical, cost effective, customized technology solutions. We offer a complimentary network evaluation for new and prospective clients. To schedule your appointment, call 562. 903.3992. We look forward to servicing your business.